"We are not typically German anymore. We have more players who go into the one-on-one situations stronger. Technically, we are much stronger and the unpredictability is greater in this German team than it ever was. I think this is the best team, with the most quality of all the ones I have played in."

-- Germany captain and outside back Philipp Lahm, who played for Germany at the 2006 World Cup (third-place) and 2008 Euro (runner-up). Germany opens against Australia on Sunday. (Reuters)